Fossil remains of the largest snake are discovered in India

An ancient snake species, named Vasuki indicus, has been discovered by Indian palaeontologists in a coal mine in Panandro, Gujarat. The newly discovered reptile lived 47 million years ago in the swampy evergreen forests of western India. According to scientists who published the findings in the journal Scientific Reports, its weight could have been up to a tonne.

Belonging to the Madtsoiidae family, this newly identified species is believed to have been a slow predator that would ambush and squeeze its prey, similar to anacondas or pythons.

Scientists speculate that these ancient snakes originated in the Indian subcontinent. After amalgamation, the snakes migrated across the southern regions of Eurasia and entered northern Africa. The team anticipates that future excavations will provide further evidence in favour of their conclusions.

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